She sprang into the limelight in 2022 when her post went viral on TikTok. It was a light-hearted video of her and her ex, musician Stivo Simple Boy. The clip sent tongues wagging and thrust Purity Vishenwa, aka Pritty Vishy, into fame.
Nothing prepared her for the roller coaster ride that was to follow. From that viral clip posted as she prepared to sit for KCSE exams in Form Four, to becoming a TikTok sensation who recently dropped a staggering 40kgs through Ozempic, Pritty Vishy shares her journey of triumph over the ruthless jabs that characterise Kenya’s online space, rebranding herself and her fear of marriage and motherhood.
This is not a trick question. How old are you?
I was born and raised in Kibera. When my parents’ relationship hit rocky ground, I was sent to live with my great-grandmother in Vihiga. I was about five years old. Unfortunately, when I came back to Nairobi three years later, I couldn’t live with my mum. She had remarried and had children with her new husband. The man was abusive and exploitative, but my mum couldn’t leave him because she was pregnant. She stayed for the sake of her children. I was sent to a children’s home in Kawangware.
How did your life change after your post went viral?
I wasn’t ready for the pressure that came with fame, and soon it began taking a toll on me. I developed ulcers and was even hospitalised due to stress. My mental health was down, I was alone, and still trying to study. One of my aunts told me something that changed my life: That people will always talk, but it’s what I do with that attention that matters.
What inspired you to join the entertainment industry?
Do you think social media has helped accelerate your career growth in entertainment?
Let’s talk about your weight loss. You have created quite a buzz online …
What prompted you to start your weight loss journey?
Using Ozempic for weight loss has drawn heavy criticism from experts and the general public alike. Why did you swim against the current?
So, no worries at all?
What are you doing to maintain your current weight?
My doctor insisted I hit the gym regularly after a month of using Ozempic. She encouraged me to be consistent, and that helped. I work out regularly.
Has your social media portfolio changed? How's your DM looking these days?
Because they mocked the older Pritty, the plus-size me. Now they want this ‘new’ me… but they didn’t invest in this version. They didn’t walk the journey with me.
So then I think — what if life happens, yeah? What if I gain weight again?
So, no wedding bells around the corner?
At my age, she already had three children. That pressure scares me.
Besides admirers, as a digital content creator, have you gotten more opportunities from brands?
